Tunneling Apparatus Including Vacuum and Method of Use

• US 20100206635A1
• Filed: 02/11/2010
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Nguyen, Melvin, Harrison, Stuart, Salins, Andis, Mills, Matthew Arlen
• Granted Patent: US 8,439,450 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 175/62
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/002 by visual inspection
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/04 Directional drilling
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/20 Driving or forcing casings or pipes into boreholes, e.g. sinking; Simultaneously drilling and casing boreholes
• CPC Class Codes: E21D 9/004 using light beams for direction or position control
• CPC Class Codes: E21D 9/093 Control of the driving shield , e.g. of the hydraulic advancing cylinders arrangement of measuring or indicating devices for use during driving of tunnels E21D9/003

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a tunneling apparatus including a pipe string having a distal end and a proximal end. The pipe string includes a plurality of pipe-sections connected end-to end. The pipe string also includes a cutting head coupled to a distal-most one of the pipe-sections. The pipe string defines a vacuum passage that extends through the pipe string from the proximal end to the distal end of the pipe string. A source of vacuum is in fluid communication with the vacuum passage for drawing cuttings through the vacuum passage. A blockage sensor can be used for sensing whether a precursor blockage condition exists within the vacuum passage. A source of air pressure can be used to force air distally through the pipe string to assist in moving cuttings proximally through the vacuum passage.

Claims

1. A method for tunneling comprising:

forming a bore in the ground with a tunneling apparatus including a cutting unit attached to a distal end of a string of pipe sections, the string of pipe sections defining a vacuum passage;

removing cuttings from the bore through the vacuum passage;

monitoring an operating characteristic related to vacuum operation that can provide an indication of a precursor blockage condition within the vacuum passage; and

implementing a blockage prevention action for preventing full blockage of the vacuum passage when the operating characteristic indicates that the precursor blockage condition exists.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the operating characteristic is automatically monitored by an electronic controller, and wherein the blockage prevention action is automatically implemented by the electronic controller.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the tunneling apparatus includes a drilling apparatus.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the blockage prevention action includes reducing thrust applied to the string of pipe sections.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the blockage prevention action includes increasing drilling fluid provided to the cutting unit.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the blockage prevention action includes increasing a rotational cutting speed of the cutting unit.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the tunneling apparatus includes a backreaming apparatus.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the blockage prevention action includes reducing pull-back applied to the string of pipe sections.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the blockage prevention action includes increasing drilling fluid provided to the cutting unit.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the blockage prevention action includes increasing a rotational cutting speed of the cutting unit.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein vacuum pressure within the vacuum channel is sensed and used as the operating characteristic.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the vacuum pressure within the vacuum channel is sensed at a location outside of the bore between the string of pipe sections and a vacuum intake.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the vacuum pressure within the vacuum channel is also sensed at a location inside the bore.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein air flow within the pipe sections is sensed and used as the operating characteristic.

15. A tunneling apparatus comprising:

a pipe string including a distal end and a proximal end, the pipe string including a plurality of pipe-sections connected end-to end, the pipe string also including a cutting head coupled to a distal-most one of the pipe-sections, the cutting head including a cutting unit;

the pipe string defining a vacuum passage that extends through the pipe string from the proximal end to the distal end of the pipe string;

a source of vacuum in fluid communication with the vacuum passage;

a blockage sensor for sensing an operating characteristic that is used to indicate whether a precursor blockage condition exists within the vacuum passage.

16. The tunneling apparatus of claim 15, wherein the blockage sensor includes a pressure sensor that senses vacuum pressure within the vacuum passage.

17. The tunneling apparatus of claim 16, wherein the pressure sensor senses vacuum pressure in the vacuum passage at a location between the pipe string and the source of vacuum.

18. The tunneling apparatus of claim 16, wherein the pressure sensor senses vacuum pressure in the vacuum passage at a location within the pipe string.

19. The tunneling apparatus of claim 15, wherein the blockage sensor includes an air flow sensor that senses air flow provided to the vacuum passage.

20. The tunneling apparatus of claim 15, wherein the drill string defines an air passage that extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the pipe string, and wherein the blockage sensor includes an air flow sensor for sensing air flow within the air passage.

21. A method for tunneling comprising:

forming a bore in the ground with a tunneling apparatus including a cutting unit attached to a distal end of a string of pipe sections, the string of pipe sections defining a vacuum passage;

removing cuttings from the bore by drawing the cuttings proximally through the vacuum passage; and

forcing air distally through the bore to assist in moving the cuttings proximally through the vacuum passage.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the air is forced distally through the bore by forcing the air distally through an air passage defined by the string of pipe sections.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the tunneling apparatus includes a drilling apparatus.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the tunneling apparatus includes a backreaming apparatus.

25. A tunneling apparatus comprising:

a pipe string including a distal end and a proximal end, the pipe string including a plurality of pipe-sections connected end-to end, the pipe string also including a cutting head coupled to a distal-most one of the pipe-sections, the cutting head including a cutting unit;

the pipe string defining a vacuum passage that extends through the pipe string from the proximal end to the distal end of the pipe string;

the pipe string defining an air passage that extends from the proximal end to the distal end of the pipe string;

means for forcing air down the air passage; and

a source of vacuum in fluid communication with the vacuum passage, wherein operation of the means for forcing air down the air passage is coordinated with operation of the source of vacuum.